Podcast: Under The Golden Dome Week 14 (4/14/2017)

As the end of the session nears, leaders are often asked a simple "yes or no" about the likelihood of a bill becoming law. The Senate president says a bill that would change how independent water utilities are managed isn't moving forward. This bill's passage would affect the Des Moines Water Works, for example.

A last-minute addition of a medical marijuana bill passes through committees and is eligible for debate in the Senate, but even if it gets this far, House leaders say representatives will not pass it. We have a few moments from the subcommittee where advocates make their case and lawmakers lay out how a medical cannibals program with 12 dispensaries would work in Iowa.

We will hear some of the unusual legislative procedures around a "Sanctuary City" bill passing in the Senate. It's eligibility is questioned, a senator uses a rare rule allowing him to not vote but remain in the chamber, and there is an unexpected interruption that causes everyone to evacuate the chamber during the heated debate.

Not all bills that pass undergo a contentious debate. Some pass with no opposition in the House like a bill changing criminal penalties. In some cases it will lighten sentencing and in others it will be harder. A discussion from our talk show originating in the Capitol's Law Library with two representatives who want the bill to move forward in the Senate.

Our show closes with a moment from Governor Branstad's bill signing ceremony expanding the rights of gun owners.

This is the last scheduled full week of the legislative session but with details of the next year's budget starting to come out, it's unlikely the lawmakers will adjourn next Tuesday. They may be here for another week or two. It's hard to say, but we we will have at least one more podcast of Under The Golden Dome before retiring the show for the year.

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This week, the House passed the most restrictive abortion bill in the state's history. It bans abortions after 20 weeks except when the life of the mother is in danger. The bill originated in the Senate two week ago, but the House makes many revisions. In this podcast, we condense the six-and-a-half hour long debate from the chamber floor to 15 minutes.

Since 2007, two legislators are surprised every year with an award from the Herbert Hoover Foundation. On Thursday Senator Rob Hogg and Representative Zach Nunn were honored. Previous honoree House Speaker Linda Upmeyer says it's one of the most meaningful awards a legislator can receive.

Six weeks ago, legislation about changing Iowa's collective bargaining law featured a long and contentious debate in both chambers, and hundreds of demonstrators at the Capitol. During this process lobbyist Drew Klein, state director for Americans for Prosperity, advocated for this bill. Turns out he was not registered during this time as a lobbyist. The House Ethics Committee took up a complaint about Klein this week and we'll hear part of the committee's process during their first action of this General Assembly.

Week 10's podcast begins with the state of Iowa being low on money, again. The Revenue Estimating Conference projects a $131 million shortfall by July 1st. Legislative leaders say budget cuts this close to the end of the fiscal year aren't practical, so the state's rainy day funds will be used.